Jaguar F Pace R Dynamic Review

Jaguar has had the genes of racing infused in it for a long time. However, adapting itself to the requisites of current times, the brand has shifted its focus to SUVs and enthralled the world with its first-ever fully electric SUV, the I-Pace. Clever engineering utilised to offer blistering fast acceleration enthused motoring fans and reinstated interest in Jaguar’s other SUVs as well. 

While its ICE lineup might go defunct by the closure of this decade, here is one of the last of its conventional SUVs offering exceptional levels of nimbleness, drama from behind the wheel through the exhausts while offering a sublime cabin experience with nifty sound cancellation shenanigans and features to enhance the comfort parameters. This is the Jaguar F-Pace R Dynamic- An everyday SUV with a pinch of aggression in its temperament. However, do the cosmetic changes and some enhanced mechanical bits do enough to make it stand out against its competition?

The visual drama 

They say looks is a subjective choice and in certain cases, can arise polarising opinions. However, with regards to the F-Pace R Dynamic, a unanimous acceptance of its looks might be gathered. It all starts with the menacing road presence up front imparted to the car by the mean-looking and curvy headlamps and gloss-black finishing for the grille and air vents. The hood is corpulent enough with several protrusions to enhance its macho SUV character. The R bumper finishing with LED lamps on the bumper and racy green R Dynamic logo on the grille differentiate it from the standard iteration.

Viewed from the side, smoked effect on the rims and gloss black air intakes on the fenders add power to its aura of being a quintessential sports-SUV. At the rear, crisp tail lamps elongated towards the side and chrome-tipped exhausts do their alchemy to leave one astonished with the striking feel the car generates. At the same time, the car doesn’t shy away from being practical with its 755-litre boot making it greatly voluminous.

Luxury suite-like experience on the inside?

The modern cabins of Jaguar and Land Rover have really managed to give sleepless nights to other automakers because of their sheer attention to detail, quality of materials and the seamless flow of the dashboard exuding grandeur. As the new F-Pace is a facelift, the design changes are evolutionary than revolutionary. However, one would appreciate the use of red leather for the dashboard, door trims, centre console and the seats. This instantaneously adds a sporty vibe to the cockpit.

What might be of repugnance to some is the inclusion of a conventional gear stick instead of the rotary knob of the previous generation model which ejected luxury with its crystalline finish. The steering wheel becomes chunkier and a fully-digital layout for the instrument binnacle with several viewing modes to optimise intel is part of the package. Lastly, aluminium appliques adorn the cabin to create a disharmony between the upper and lower segments of the dash. R branding engraved on the seats and ebony stitching in the cabin are noteworthy touches.

Opportunity of getting acquainted to more bells and whistles in the form of gismos is what people buy luxury cars for. In its defence, the F-Pace R Dynamic in its P250 spec gets a bucket-load of features such as front and rear parking sensors with camera having adaptive guidelines, adaptive cruise control, 11-speaker Meridien sound system which can disperse the entire sound to one corner, an 11.4” touchscreen which is more intuitive and a panoramic sunroof are some of the goodies it lavishes on its discerning owners.

It’s a suave and brisk pacer 

This is where its pretence of being a sporty commuter becomes conspicuous. Without doubt, its figures of 250 hp and 365 Nm of torque from the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine are adequate for the regular routine errands and weekend expeditions, but the figures aren’t breath-taking in contrast to its looks. This powertrain will make the F-Pace R Dynamic a great mile munching machine, but it’s best to upgrade to the full-fed SVR version if frantic performance is the requirement. The power is channelled via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for unruffled delivery. It features a slew of drive modes to tweak the driving experience according to your preferences. Eco mode maximises frugality while Sport mode unleashes the beast from being quiescent. It makes good use of the brand’s active noise cancellation tech to make the cabin as hushed as possible.

Verdict 

The regular F-Pace comes across as a worthy British luxury mid-sized SUV compared to its German and American contention. However, at AED 257,250 the R Dynamic P250 trim takes visual drama to a whole new level. It makes a good business case for itself in isolation but the Audi Q5 S-line and the Mercedes-Benz GLC with its AMG-line package are formidable rivals which might win the battle just by a whisker.